Smart casual dress code: informal yet polished for the office

The Smart Casual Dress Code: Informal Yet Polished for the Office

The holiday period is nearly over and normal working life begins again. Heading out the door in flip-flops and shorts is unfortunately no longer an option. But what should you wear to the office? The days of being expected to wear a three-piece suit are long gone. At many companies, an informal, or casual dress code is now more common. This allows for comfortable clothing such as jeans, t-shirts and sneakers. If you'd like to dress a bit smarter, perhaps because you have regular business meetings, you can adopt the smart casual dress code. This way you'll look considerably more polished than in regular casual wear, without sacrificing comfort. In this blog, we explain what smart casual means and how to apply it to your office outfit.

What Exactly is Smart Casual?

Smart casual is essentially casual clothing with a 'smart' edge. Smart here means polished. The idea is that you wear comfortable clothes, but with a refined twist so you're prepared for any situation. With this dress code, you can combine items in a playful way, as long as the overall look appears well-groomed. Smart pieces such as trousers, shirts and blazers form the foundation.

Smart casual is the most common dress code in the business world, particularly at companies with an informal work atmosphere. It's also frequently the dress code for weddings and other semi-formal occasions. Smart casual is generally a safe and stylish clothing choice in many situations.

Smart Casual for Men

Smart casual stands for simple, everyday clothing, but neat and well-dressed. For men, smart casual means a shirt as the base. A blazer goes over the top, weather permitting. If it's too warm, you can leave the blazer at home. You can wear a tie, but it's often a touch too formal for this dress code.

Several types of trousers work with the smart casual dress code. You can go relatively formal with trousers, but you can also choose chinos or even a neat dark jeans. By pairing your shirt and blazer with chinos or jeans, you keep your outfit casual.

Smart Casual for Women

Smart casual for women means a polished outfit, but not overdressed. Think a skirt or trousers with a neat sweater or blouse on top. A dress or trendy jumpsuit paired with a blazer or cardigan also fits this dress code. Complete your outfit with elegant accessories, but keep it subtle.

Women can choose black jeans alongside trousers for the smart casual dress code. Just make sure they're unwrinkled and hole-free. Regular denim jeans aren't suitable for a smart casual outfit. Keep the overall look stylish: a deep neckline, short skirt and spaghetti straps don't fit this dress code.